Quality Nurse Consultants

"February 16, 2010
Dear Providers:
Recently the Seattle Times newspaper published a series of articles on Adult Family Homes. (You can find the articles at http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seniorsforsale/2010963980_seniors03.html.) From what we understand, there may be more follow‐up articles in the future. The series of articles were not favorable to our industry. They depicted some serious and heart‐wrenching cases of abuse by Adult Family Home (AFH) providers. The stories were awful, horrific and unacceptable practices of certain providers. WSRCC takes these issues seriously. However, the AFHs portrayed in these newspaper articles are not reflective of the entire AFH community. The majority of the homes do a good job and hold themselves to high standards of quality care. AFHs offer positive
solutions for the care of fragile adults and they are a vital component of Home and Community based settings. WSRCC understands the concerns and fears that you may have as a result of the articles. How do these articles affect the future of AFHs and our image? What are we doing to address these issues? We want you to know that
WSRCC is doing their part to be proactive and responsive to these issues. We plan to work collaboratively with the State of Washington to ensure protection for residents of AFHs, while we also support quality inspections of AFHs. And we continue to expand our provider education endeavors. Below is a list of actions we have already
accomplished in response to these articles and we continue to do more for Adult Family Homes: 
 WSRCC immediately engaged in conversation with the Governor’s Office, the Secretary of Department of Social and Health Services, the Assistant Secretary of Aging and Disability Services, as well as the WA Association of Realtors. We will also be meeting with the State Long Term Care Ombudsman to discuss how these problems will be addressed in the future and how we can work together to protect the residents in AFHs.
 WSRCC has formed a stakeholder group with DSHS for rule‐making, for instance the WAC’s.
 WSRCC is talking with a public relations firm to help improve and create a positive image of AFHs.
 WSRCC is hosting a series of educational courses (for more details go to www.wsrcc.org):
 WAC training classes will be offered beginning in March throughout the State of Washington;
 AFH Business Conference will be held in May in Spokane;
 14th Annual educational conference in October in Tacoma;
 Caregiving trainings specifically geared for your staff;
 Geriatric Specialty Certification through the University of Washington’s NW Geriatric School offers
52 on‐line credit courses;
 WSRCC is partnering with Highline Community College to offer business courses specific to AFHs.
 WSRCC has made improvements to our website (www.wsrcc.org) to include more corporate sponsors to offer more resources for providers to help them in their businesses.
523 Pear Street SE • Olympia Washington 98501 • Toll‐free (888) 439‐8999 • Facsimile (360) 943‐6653
 WSRCC’s two (2) full‐time lobbyists continue to advocate on our behalf with legislators.
Being an AFH provider is a privilege. With this calling, come the challenges and responsibilities of running an AFH. As we embark an aging society, known as the “silver tsunami”, consumers are becoming more educated and proactive in their care or loved ones’ care. There is more demand to transform our AFH system to a more caring system. As an AFH professional, we encourage you to be prepared to accept these responsibilities and do your part to ensure our residents are protected and that they continue to live a meaningful quality of life. It is up to you to change our industry for the better and embrace improvements that may be necessary to your standard of care or business practices. With this said, we want to remind everyone of your responsibility and duty to protect the vulnerable adults and seniors entrusted in your care. It is our responsibility to continue to get education and keep learning the skills as an AFH professional. We can always learn more and improve as this industry continues to grow and we become more regulated. You can “stay out of trouble” by educating yourself in this industry and prevent these kind of things from
happening. Obtain a copy of your current WAC’s, read and follow them. Learn, understand and know your WAC’s. Maintain an open communication with your licensors by asking questions, clarifications or suggestions. Seek assistance from your chapters and WSRCC as there is a huge resource base and a wealth of knowledgeable experts who have been running adult family homes for years. Make sure you do the things to keep yourself out of trouble. Be sure to honor resident rights, keep your
assessments and care plans updated. Engage in dialogue with resident family members or their representative by keeping them informed of the resident’s care, address their concerns and don’t take clients that are over your scope of practice or care ability. We encourage you to develop your skills with training, continue to get education, continue to be more knowledgeable, attend the educational trainings and your chapter meetings, and obtain your geriatric certification. WSRCC is dedicated to educate providers and become prepared to handle the on‐going challenges and demands of running an AFH and our residents care needs. As we move forward and face the issues ahead of us, continuing education is vitally important to your success. We ask you to join us in being positive and proactive, and engage in making a difference to our AFH community. Thank you for your continual commitment and dedication for the care of your residents!
To your success and best wishes,
Tammy Stimach, WSRCC Board Chair

“There are really three forms of depression: (1) situation or event based depression; (2) chemically induced depression (use of drug or alcohol depressants); and (3) clinical depression (resulting from a chemical imbalance in the brain). The loss of a job or prolonged unemployment generally falls into the first category, but can lead to a clinical depression if not resolved in a reasonable period (reasonable depending upon the individual attributes of the sufferer). 

In all three cases there are physical symptoms as well as psychological symptoms. One could aruge that "yes" these physical symptoms are "all in the head" because they are a result of the depression. Yet as many of you have pointed out above, simply because they stem from a psychological source, this renders them no less real in terms of physical suffering. Put simply an attitude adjustment may not be enough to stem the physical responses to the traumatic event. 

While the best treatment for clinical depression to correct the chemical imbalance might be medication, and for substance abuse some form of AA, the best treatment for situation based depression is counseling. This doesn't necessarily require seeking out professional counseling, although one shouldn't ignore that option entirely. But counseling with friends, family, spiritual leaders, and our Heavenly Father himself can render some of the best therapy. 

Talking about your concerns, worries, experiences in the job search can lead to new perspectives on how to tackle the current job market. Do not ignore the physical symptoms, but recognize them for what they are - a response to your own situational depression. If they linger for an extended period, seeking out professional help would be wise to prevent situational depression from becomming clinical depression.” - John Hugie Attorney, EDI Business Analyst/Consultant

***
“John, thank you for those great insights. 

On the treatment note - healing from any of the three types of depression you mention can be accelerated with the use of non-invasive energy therapies... ‘Everything is Energy’ - Keiron Sweeney, Peak Potentials  http://www.mmeregistrations.com/?wid=710383 

There are hundreds of energy modalities. My favorites include CranioSacral Therapy, Emotional Freedom Technique, Positive Affirmations and Body Talk. They all work on the cellular level to shift stuck energy... freeing up both physical and emotional energy, which can then be re-directed to create what one DOES want, rather than sustaining what one DOESN'T want in life experience. 

I know - I experienced a huge health melt-down and then renewal - and the renewal did not come through traditional western medicine, counseling, psychotherapy, surgeries, or drugs. It came through naturopathic, chiropractic, and energy therapies.  http://www.authenticwholeness.com

At one point, my son said "Mom, I'm worried about you - you're using different language - are you letting go of your testimony?" My answer: "Absolutely not. My study of the energy world has actually validated my already solid testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ, and has helped me understand what I call the 'Anatomy of the Spirit' in a deeper way. 

Carol Tuttle, an LDS Energy Therapist, is one of my trainers, and I appreciate her book "Remembering Wholeness" very much. http://www.connectwithcarol.com 

Here's a great way to be introduced to the field of Energy Psychology - 
Listen for f.r.e.e. to top participating therapists - the Tapping World Summit 2010: http://www.tryitoneverything.com/cmd.php?Clk=3550734 

Shifting and releasing "stuck" energies simply frees us up to become active co-creators of our lives, with God - and we are better able to give the gifts we came here to give... Then we can change a discussion from a focus on depression, to a focus on "What's your mission in life?" 

Blessings! 
Jo Lyn”

Our family loves attending T.Harv Eker's Peak Potentials Trainings!  There are F.R.E.E. Millionaire Mind Evenings near you - click the link above to find out when and where.  

Today's economy has hit so many businesses - people who normally have no problem moving onward and upward have been downsized and outsized through no fault of their own....

In my Elder Care Home business, ( www.wisteriaphotos.com) most people have paid for their care by selling their homes.  When they can't sell their home, their care is paid by Medicaid (welfare), which pays about half the income of private pay.  As a result of this domino effect, our business has suffered.  It is still still providing great care to special people - but at this point, for us, it no longer produces a powerful income, and I am choosing not to expand to multiple homes.  I'm ready for something new.

My solution is to leverage my current expertise in a new (but related) direction.  Health & Wellness,  Training, and Home Based Business are my expertise and core interests.  I love them for the quality of life they create for me and others...  www.authenticwholeness.com 

So I've moved into the Anti-Aging Industry, and now promote cutting edge, patented products that re-set the human youth gene clusters and produce more vibrant health and beauty...  www.nsoverview.com and www.jolyn.nsedreams.com 

In the process of clarifying what direction I should take, I followed Brian Tracy's recommendation to identify my top 10 goals for the next year, then pick THE ONE that, IF I could accomplish it in the next 24 hours, would make the MOST DIFFERENCE in my life.  That is the one to focus on NOW.  

I encourage everyone who is in transition to do some soul searching regarding their occupation and this economy.... If what you've done in the past no longer supports you, be pro-active and move into something that WILL support you... something that you can whole-heartedly step into and "Lead the Field", as Earl Nightengale used to say.  


“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” - Alexander Graham Bell

Blessings...  Jo Lyn

To Reporter Michael Berens of the Seattle Times: 
"Michael,
From the calls I've received about your article today - you're ruffling a few feathers and waking people up. That's a good thing - Most people don't pay any attention to Long Term Care issues until they are in a crisis - and then it's an emergency and they don't always make great decisions. Looks like those providers who abused or neglected clients got shut down, as they should.

I'm looking forward to the next 2 installments of your article... I hope you'll be honest and fair.  How about showcasing some excellent homes? 
I can take you around to several fabulous AFH examples - where the system works beautifully for both care providers AND residents.  But then ... I suppose that articles about excellent care don't get as much attention as reports of abuse, do they? 

Adult Family Homes are wonderful businesses - when run properly. 
There's PLENTY of AFH regulations - have you not read them? 

The State didn't want to take the time or money to create the 48 Hour Training Curriculums - they just mandated 12 topics and 48 Hours.  Result - the 48 Hour Trainers and trainings are not all equally as good  - I agree. However, instead of throwing stones, I recommend you register for and attend John Wright's 48 Hour AFH Administrator Training - he uses the QNC curriculum. You'll see some excellence in action there. 

PLUS... there's Fundamentals of Caregiving, Nurse Delegation Training, Mental Health and Dementia Trainings, CPR, 1st Aid, and continuing education to keep us on our toes. We also have great pharmacies that support us in learning medications, delegating nurses, and home health companies that help us in oversight, etc, etc, etc...

I am in agreement about placement agencies - I believe they should be regulated. Don't forget - Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes have their problems and agendas too. Burnout is a continual challenge for caregivers - in any Long Term Care facility.  

People CAN make good money owning/operating an AFH - IF they do it properly.  Not all potential residents are appropriate for AFH living. Many people prefer an AFH to a NH if given the option. And it's true - some AFH providers take on residents they are not prepared to care for properly... and they don't realize it. 

What's on my site and in my training is not hype - it's truth.  I know it and I live it. Just don't take it out of context.  And a good caregiver is worthy of their pay.... as is a good reporter. 

Following up...
Jo Lyn Cornelsen RN
www.qualitynurseconsultants.com

The AFH Business continues to be a viable home based business, despite the challenges in our economy.  Did you know, you can take in one private pay client without a license?  This can keep the mortgage paid while you work through the licensing process, and give you an excellent opportunity to fine-tune your AFH operating procedures before you get really busy with a full house.   

Want to know how to run a great AFH?  Register for the 48 Hour AFH Administrator Training!  Our next class begins Monday, August 31, 2009.